Page 2 of The Alpha King’s Hidden Mute Mate

I pointed to the bottle, then to my throat, then made a hopeful gesture.

"From a traveling witch?" Leah's eyes widened. "It'll let you speak temporarily?"

I nodded hard, eyes bright.

"Mia..." Leah took a deep breath, hesitation in her voice. "You sure this thing's legit? What if there are side effects—"

I waved her off. Side effects or not, I had to try. Tonight was the Howling Ceremony—the Moon Goddess's only chance to assign fated mates. Twenty years. I'd been waiting for this moment my whole life.

Leah watched me, silent for a few seconds. "I just don't want you to get hurt."

I noticed her eyes flicker when she said that, like she was afraid of something. But she quickly adjusted her expression and forced a smile. "Alright. I'll be there with you."

I patted her hand, letting her know she didn't need to worry. Then I raised my fist in a small gesture of encouragement.

No matter what, I was going to make the Moon Goddess see me. For twenty years, my life had been an endless loop of "you can't," "you don't deserve it," "you'll never manage." But tonight, I was going to prove "I can."

Night came faster than expected.

The Howling Ceremony was held outside the royal city at Moon Valley.

This was our pack's sacred ground, generation after generation. An open valley cradled by mountains, the ground a natural stone platform smooth as if cut by a blade. At the valley's center stood a massive boulder—the Ancestor Stone—carved with claw marks from alphas past.

Every full moon, the pack's young wolves gathered here to wait for their fated mates.

By the time I arrived, hundreds were already there. Everyone wore masks—tradition dictated a masked ball before the official howling, letting people interact without knowing identities. Supposedly, it made fate's work purer, free from appearances and social standing.

I stood at the crowd's edge and, when no one was looking, pulled the potion from my pocket, twisted off the cap, and threw my head back. Rust flooded my mouth, bitter as bile. I forced myself not to cough. The witch said to drink it an hour early. The Howling Ceremony wouldn't start for another hour. Perfect timing.

I shoved the empty bottle back in my pocket and clutched my dress nervously. Leah had disappeared somewhere—probably getting drinks. Standing here alone, I felt like a sparrow that had wandered into a flock of swans. My silver mask came from a secondhand stall, edges worn, but it still gleamed in the firelight. The deep blue dress fit perfectly, showing off my slender waist and elegant shoulders.

Two girls passed by, whispering.

"Did you hear? The King still hasn't found his fated mate."

"Of course. This isn't His Majesty's first Howling Ceremony."

"Why hasn't the Moon Goddess matched him yet? Is it that hard to find someone worthy?"

"Can you imagine whose luck it'll be to become Luna!"

My heart skipped.

I couldn't help thinking—what if... what if I was the King's fated mate?

Then I cursed myself. Wake up, Mia. The Moon Goddess wouldn't pair a mute with His Majesty.

I smiled bitterly, grabbed a juice, and moved toward a more secluded corner. I could dream all I wanted. Fairy tales like that didn't happen.

Music started. A slow waltz, the cello's deep melody flowing through the night. People paired off and entered the dance floor, firelight casting shifting shadows across their faces.

I stood there with my cup, watching the spinning skirts and shuffling feet, envious and lonely. I backed up a step, looking for a quieter spot.

My foot caught on something.

I fell backward, juice splashing out in an arc.

Just as I thought I'd hit the ground hard, a hand clamped around my wrist and yanked me back with powerful force.